Spain fighting 3 wildfires in wake of scorching heat wave that broke May temperature record

MADRID – Authorities in Spain say firefighters are combatting at least three wildfires as May temperatures hit a record high, reaching levels normally seen only in mid-summer.

Air traffic controllers said they were coordinating several planes deployed to fight a fire detected Saturday in the eastern Sierra Calderona hills.

Another six fire-fighting planes were dousing a wildfire in nearby Segobre, Spain's Emergency Coordination Center said.

Firefighters were also using helicopters to detect hotspots that might re-ignite a fire that broke out Thursday in eastern Pego.

Temperatures in Spain are cooling after several scorching days. The meteorological agency said the eastern town of Xativa recorded 42.9 degrees Celsius (109.2 Fahrenheit) on Thursday, breaking a 2006 record of 40.1 degrees Celsius (104.2 Fahrenheit) set at Cordoba Airport.